Emmanuel Kehinde.
The Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, Dr. Mike Okonkwo,says it is unacceptable to know that some people have made insecurity, a lucrative business in Nigeria.
He decried the current insecurity, corruption, hardship, and other developmental challenges in the country, adding that Nigeria’s current situation was complex.
He said, “There are people who have made it a business sort of, either to kidnap and cause mayhem in different communities and cause problems. That is not acceptable.”
The Bishop made the remark while speaking with journalists at TREM’s International headquarters, Obanikoro, Anthony Oke, Lagos on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the 40th anniversary of the ministry and its 32nd Kingdom Life World Conference titled, ‘Exceeding Glory.”
He, therefore, called on the Federal Government and other relevant authorities and agencies to squarely address and stop insecurity in some parts of the country.
The cleric prophesied that 2022 would be a year of acceleration, adding that Nigerians should focus on God to enjoy the ‘Year of acceleration.’
He further called on all Nigerians to continue to pray for God’s intervention to stop terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, other forms of insecurity, corruption, and other challenges in Nigeria.
The religious leader stated that he was confident that God can bring to an end, insecurity in Nigeria as well as save the country from other challenges.
The Bishop called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the 36 Governors, the ministers, members of the National Assembly, state legislators, elected and appointed government functionaries, members of the judiciary, and the entire Nigerians to collaborate and save Nigeria from sliding to the precipice.
The Bishop urged the Federal Government to have a rethink on the government’s plan to disburse N5,000 monthly to 40 million Nigerians considered as poor, as a mechanism to cushion lacerating effects of the impending removal of fuel subsidy and the attendant rise in the pump price of premium motor spirit, popularly called petrol.
He stated that while the intention of the government might be genuine, unscrupulous individuals could cash in on that to siphon the money meant for the poor.
He reiterated that such a measure could lead to more corruption, with the attendant increase in the suffering of those for who the money was intended to alleviate their plight.
“Analysts have said it is illogical and surprising that FG will remove the annual fuel subsidy of N1.8 trillion and replace it with N2.4 trillion which is the sum of N5,000 monthly payment to 40 million Nigerians for a year.
“I do not know how they came about such a decision because, for me, the issue of subsidy in Nigeria is totally a scam, because there are people who have enriched themselves and ripped-off the treasury through subsidy.
” Like I have said before, subsidy is supposed to alleviate the suffering and pains of people in the country and make it easy for people to travel and buy fuel at a cheap rate.
“You will agree with me that nobody has bought fuel at a cheap rate. So if that is the truth, then what is the use of subsidy? And then again,
” I will not subscribe to the idea of N5,000. On what premise is that going to be done? Where is the data? How do you even know those who are going to get the money? For me, until the issue of subsidy is thoroughly investigated and probably find a better way to deal with it, I will not subscribe to the payment of N5,000.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
